Four Mamou players earn LSCA all-state honors

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

A tremendous season by the Mamou Lady Demons, including a district co-championship, has lead to a number of individual honors.
The Lady Demons were able to place four young ladies on the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association class 2A all-state team. Garnering spots on the first team were junior catcher Kourtnie Deshotels, and senior utility players Amber Manuel, Logan Thomas and Kelsie Mayeaux. Manuel hit the double jackpot, as she was also named as an honorable mention selection to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association class 2A all-state team.
“I was really excited,” said Manuel. “It just proved to me that all of the hard work I put in this season paid off. I knew this was my last year in high school and I wanted to make it count. It was important to go hard at every practice and never give up.”
Manuel has been offered to play on the next level, although she declined to say which school.
“I am thinking really hard about playing in college. I know that my major is going to be tough and I have to decide if playing softball will interfere with my studies.”
This is probably a smart move on Manuel’s part, as she plans on majoring in physical therapy.
Thomas, meanwhile, was elated by her selection to the all-state team.
“I was overwhelmed by the selection,” stated Thomas. “I did not feel as if I had a great season this year. It was very frustrating at the plate for me all year long.”
This is more than likely due to Thomas’s reputation as a hitter. Most of the pitchers that faced Thomas this year knew her ability and pitched around her all season long.
Thomas will be taking her softball game to the next level as a walk-on at LSU-E.
“I was thrilled to be offered a walk-on spot at LSU-E. I am going to give it a shot and see what happens. Hopefully, I can prove myself there and possibly get some playing time.” Thomas plans on majoring in nursing.
Mayeaux was also keyed up about her selection.
“I was pretty fired up,” and excited Mayeaux exclaimed. “I owe it all to my three coaches and the team. They all believed in me all season long and kept cheering me on no matter what happened. There are times in the season were you never know how well you are doing.”
Mayeaux is on to bigger and better things. She will attend LSU-Shreveport in the fall and begin a 13 year journey to becoming an Oncologist.
When asked how playing softball could help prepare her for her new adventure, Mayeaux was quick to point out one important fact.
“Softball teaches you to never give up and to keep on trying, even when you do not have the best of days,” stated Mayeaux.
Deshotel, the lone junior of Mamou’s all-state pack, was surprised by her selection. “Honestly, I was shocked,”
Deshotel said in disbelief. “As a junior, you don’t expect to earn that type of honor. I really give our coaches the credit for making us work so hard this season and believing in everyone of us.”
Deshotel starts summer league play with the Lady Demons this week. When asked how she will react to having to be a team leader as a senior from now on, Deshotel took it in stride.
“I just have to come out and give it my all,” said Deshotel. “If I work hard, I hope to become a role model for the younger players. Whether or not it’s my game that day or not, I have to keep pumping up my team and make sure they stay in the ball game. That is what a leader does.”